JPH0294712A - Input converter for alphabetic keyboard - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the operability and to improve the input speed by adopting a two-stroke touch using 10 key on the home stage for the key entry of the Romaji system. CONSTITUTION:Names of series and vowels constituting nearly the Japanese syllabary are redefined to 10 key on the home stage of an alphabetic letter type keyboard with duplication. A CPU 11 executes a program stored in a ROM 12, and lights up a display light upon the receipt of a switching signal from a switch 9 via an interface circuit 14, operates a switching circuit 16 to fetch a keying signal from the keyboard 3 via the interface circuit 14. Moreover, the CPU 11 stores the fetched keying signal to a RAM 13 sequentially, references a conversion table stored in the ROM 12, converts the keying signal into a Kana (Japanese syllabary) code and sends the result to a word processor main body via the interface circuit 14 and the switching circuit 16.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a method for connecting a Roman keyboard, which is widely used as a Japanese input device for word processors, personal computers, etc., and the main body of the device that processes the input data. This invention relates to an input conversion device for a connected Roman keyboard.

[Prior art and its problems]

To input Japanese into a word processor, computer, etc., normally,
A European keyboard is used.

In order to enter kana characters, which have a large number of characters, on this Roman keyboard, the kana input method involves assigning a kana character to each key arranged in four rows, and the Roman alphabet input method uses the Roman keys as they are. ing.

In the case of kana input, there is a one-to-one correspondence between keys and kana, so normally one kana character can be entered with one stroke, but it is a hassle to memorize the keys and the top row of the keyboard where kana is assigned. There is a problem that the keypad is located far away from the home stage, making it difficult to operate the keys.

On the other hand, in Roman alphabet input, the number of keys used is small, so the key operation becomes familiar quickly, and the key operation range is almost limited to the home row, the upper row, and the lower row, making key operation reliable and easy. .

However, in the case of this Roman alphabet input, the keyboard layout was applied to the vowels and consonants that make up the kana using the same keyboard layout as in European languages, so the keyboard layout was not necessarily optimal.

In an attempt to solve this problem, Epson
HC-8, a computer that allows you to input Japanese using 16 keys
8" was released. Although this computer had a reasonable keyboard layout, it did not reach the point where it became widely contrarian.

There may be various reasons for this, but the major ones are:
-5. For users who have purchased hardware devices such as personal computers and word processors, even if hardware with new input methods is released, it is not easy to replace the hardware considering the accumulated software assets.

It is believed that for this reason, the personal computer "HC-88" manufactured by Epson Corporation was not able to become popular as an input method, even though it was conceptually superior.

Therefore, in this invention, taking the above points into consideration, we have realized a Japanese input method with a small number of keys and a reasonable key layout, using the same keyboard without requiring the user to replace the purchased hardware. This was done to provide an input conversion device for a Roman keyboard.

[Means for solving problems]

This invention provides an input terminal for receiving an output signal from a Roman keyboard, an output terminal for sending an output signal to the main body of an input processing device, and five keys on the left side and five keys on the right side of the home stage of a Roman keyboard. In addition to symmetrically assigning five types of vowels to each, the total]0flli
10 line names that make up almost all the 50 syllables are assigned to the home row keys of l, overlapping with the vowels, and keystroke input values input from this Roman keyboard through the input terminal are sequentially stored. A conversion table that assumes that the keystroke input values that are input continuously from the home stage are specified by alternating line names and vowels, and writes kana codes that correspond to each of these combinations, and The present invention is characterized by comprising a means for reading out the input values stored in the above-mentioned manner in a 2-biased manner, converting them into kana codes by referring to a conversion table, and outputting the converted values to the main body of the input horn processing apparatus through an output terminal.

[For production]

In this invention, one of the home rows in a Roman keyboard is
The input value obtained by redefining row names and vowel names that make up almost all the 50 syllables over and over again on 0 keys, and alternately pressing these 10 keys to specify row names and vowel names is It is input from the input terminal and stored in memory sequentially.

The key code stored in memory is then stored in two consecutive
The code is read out in digits, converted to kana code by referring to the built-in conversion table, and then sent from the output terminal to the main body of the input processing device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

In this invention, kana input using the Romaji system is performed by two-stroke touching using ten keys on the home stage, so operability is improved and input speed is significantly improved compared to the conventional Romaji input system.

At the same time, it becomes easier to remember the layout of the keys, which speeds up the learning of key operations.

Furthermore, since it is connected between an existing word processor or personal computer and a Roman keyboard, existing hardware and software can be used effectively.

Furthermore, since two keys on the home stage are not pressed at the same time, it is possible to perform one-handed operation or input by typing.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an apparatus according to the present invention.

The main unit of the device mainly consists of CPU, SROM12, and RAM1.
3, a microcomputer consisting of an interface circuit 14, an internal bus 15, etc.

The interface circuit 14 includes a switch 9 and an indicator light 8.
, a switching circuit 16 is connected.

The CPU II executes the program stored in the ROM 12, and when a switching signal is input from the switch 9 via the interface circuit 14, it lights up the indicator light, operates the switching circuit 16, and receives the keystroke signal from the keyboard 3. The data is taken in via the interface circuit 14. Furthermore, the captured keystroke signals are sequentially stored in the RAM 13.
At the same time, referring to a conversion table stored in the ROM 12, the keystroke signal is converted into a kana code, and sent to the word processor main body via the interface circuit 14 and the switching circuit 16.

Although the power supply for the main body 1 is not shown, it may be built in the main body 1, or the current supplied from the word processor 7 to the keyboard 3 for signal use may be used.

Further, a cable 4 extending from a European keyboard 3 is connected to the main body 1 of the device through a connector 2, and a cable 6 is extended to the output side of the main body 1, the tip of which is connected to a word processor 7 through a connector 5. ing. This European keyboard 3 is usually configured with a key arrangement specified by JISC6233, a thumb shift arrangement, etc.

Additionally, when the switch 9 provided on the main body l is operated,
The indicator light 8 lights up and the mode is switched to the conversion mode. In this conversion mode, keystroke signals from the keyboard 3 inputted through the cable 4 are converted into kana codes in units of two consecutive keys, and sent to the word processor 7 via the cable 6.

Further, when the switch 9 is operated, the indicator light 8 is turned off and the mode is switched to the non-conversion mode. In this mode, keystroke signals from the keyboard 3 inputted through the cable 4 are sent as they are to the word processor 7 via the output cable 6 without any processing.

In other words, in this device, by changing the switch 9, a mode in which the Roman keyboard 3 is operated using the conventional input method, and a mode in which keystroke signals input from the home stage are converted into kana codes in units of two. You can choose both.

In addition, keyboard 3 can be used as a mode change switch.
You can also redefine and use unnecessary keys or keys that are used less frequently.

Furthermore, by connecting the main unit l between the keyboard 3 and the word processor 7, always setting the conversion mode, and specifying the shift of normal kana input from the keyboard 3, without providing a special switch for changing the mode. , it is also possible to enable two-stroke input from the home stage.

FIG. 2 is a key arrangement diagram showing the redefinition of the home stage arranged at the second stage from the bottom of the Roman keyboard.

As shown in the figure, G and F are pressed by the left hand.

The keys of D, S, and A have the vowels a, i, tsu, ko, o, and 5.
The row names wa, 75 ya, u, and wa in the 0 sound are assigned redundantly.

Similarly, H, J, K, L, pressed by the right hand,
The vowels A, I, TS, WORK, and O, and the line names in the 50 syllables, A, KI, S, YU, and S, are assigned to each key repeatedly.

What should be noted here is that the vowel keys are symmetrically assigned to five keys on the left and right. Therefore, it is not only easy to memorize the vowel keys, but also the fingering when touching the keys is rational.

In the illustrated example, the keys are simply redefined in the order of the 50-syllabary table, but taking into consideration the frequency of use of each kana, relatively frequent vowels such as i, o, a, gyomeiriki, tana, etc. are redefined. Placing it inside the platform platform will further improve operability.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a conversion table stored in the ROM 12.

As shown in the figure, when 10 keys are pressed twice, there are 100 combinations, which can include not only normal kana, but also lowercase letters, voiced sounds, semi-voiced sounds, punctuation marks, and parenthesis symbols. In addition, frequently used control operation inputs can also be assigned to blank columns in the table.

The code converted using this conversion table and output to the main body side is the same as the code output to the main body side when the keyboard 3 is designated to be shifted to the conventional kana input.

In the figure, the first key pressed is an input for specifying a line name in the Japanese syllabary, and the second key pressed is an input for specifying a vowel.

This conversion table is constructed based on the 50-syllabary table,
In particular, for the basic Kiyon, line names and vowels are specified by pressing the left and right keys alternately, and for voiced sounds and lowercase letters, they are distinguished by pressing the keys with the fingers of the same hand. In addition, “n゛ya”, semi-voiced sounds, consonant notation “tsu, long consonant notation” that protrude from the 50-syllabary table.
−“ is assigned to each empty column.

Using this conversion table, for example, if you try to input the words "Harappi na Bocchan", the following words will be entered: Ha/Aa/Aana/Osa/Uma/Eema/Iwa/Ohma/E [Kana conversion] -su/Oba/Chi [No Conversion] - Ha/Awa/Oona/Osa/Uta/Ema/Iya/Uha/Awa/Osa/Wu [Kanji conversion] Can be input by key operations in the order.

Note that when inputting the Kiyone, which is a normal basic kana, the keys are pressed alternately on the left and right, allowing input with rhythmic key operations.

Further, in the illustrated example, the row name is specified first, followed by the vowel name, but it is also possible to specify the vowel name first in the reverse order.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, when the conversion mode is set, the input from the home stage of the keyboard is stored in memory sequentially, and at the same time, the conversion table is referred to and the keystroke input values are converted into kana code in units of two. and sent to the input processing device of the word processor itself.

In these conversion processes, if there is a keystroke input from a key other than the home row, such as a numeric keypad or an editing operation key such as a correction key, the input is sent to the processing device as is without code conversion.

This allows the conventional keyboard to be used as is for key operations other than kana input, improving usability.

Furthermore, it is also possible to display the input value of the first stroke as a key number on the display screen of the main body of the processing device, and to correct the input value such as kana or the like for the second stroke.

Furthermore, if the user accidentally presses a key for one stroke during input, the subsequent vowel designations and line name designations are swapped, resulting in meaningless input. Therefore, it would be even more user-friendly if it were equipped with a correction function that shifts the combination of the vowel and line name of the incorrectly entered part, reconverts it to the correct kana, and redisplays it.

In the embodiment, a word processor was described as the processing device, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a personal computer using a Roman keyboard and other Japanese language processing devices.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a key layout diagram of the home stage of a Roman keyboard, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a conversion table stored in the ROM. , FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation. l...Device body 2.5...Connector 3...Roman keyboard 4.6...Cable 7...Word processor 8... ... Indicator light 9 ... Switch 11 ... CPU 12 ... ROM 13 ... RAM 14 ... Interface circuit 15 ... ...
・Internal bus 16...Switching circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input terminal for receiving an output signal from a Roman keyboard; an output terminal for sending an output signal to the input processing device; Five types of vowels are symmetrically assigned to each of the five keys, and 50 types of vowels are assigned to the 10 home keys in total.
The names of the 10 rows that make up the sounds are overlapped with the vowels, and a memory is used to sequentially store keystroke input values input from this Roman keyboard through the input terminal, and a memory that sequentially stores key input values input from the home stage. It assumes that the keystroke input values that are entered are specified as row names and vowels alternately, and creates a conversion table in which kana codes corresponding to each of these combinations are written, and input values that are stored consecutively in memory. An input conversion device for a Roman keyboard, comprising means for reading out each piece, converting it into a kana code by referring to a conversion table, and outputting it to the input processing device main body via an output terminal.